Page 28 of His Temptation
Mr. Hendrix, a man I’ve known for years, stands before me, but his words are drowned out by the thumping pulse in my ears as I watch Galvin’s hand rest on her lower back while she laughs at something he said.
That’s about all I can take. I excuse myself from Mr. Hendrix and take long strides across the room. Kylie’s eyes catch me when I’m halfway there. She must sense my anger because her eyes open wide, and she doesn’t take them off of me the entire time I close the distance between us.
“What are you doing?” I accuse in a voice that I don’t even recognize.
“Um, I’m talking to someone and getting another drink.”
“Nice to see you, Lincoln. It’s been a while,” Galvin says as he extends his hand.
I shake it begrudgingly. “Galvin.”
“You two know each other?” Kylie looks between us.
Galvin smiles. “I should ask the same thing.”
“Cut the shit, Galvin. You know this is my assistant. What are you doing? Trying to get some information? Can’t beat me in the boardroom, so you gotta try to get some information from my assistant?”
“Oh, please. Don’t be paranoid,” he bites. “I just noticed this beauty was left all alone. It felt wrong to watch someone who owns the room look so lonely.”
He’s trying to make me feel like shit. Trying to get under my skin. I’m not going to let him.
“Excuse me. Please don’t talk about me like I’m not right here,” Kylie inserts.
I look over at her. “This is Galvin. He is the CEO of a competing airline.”
“Oh,” Kylie replies, then looks at Galvin like she’s sizing him up.
“We were just talking about using the amazing rooftop pool after the morning conference tomorrow. She said something about her boss probably not being okay with it. Now that I know it’s you, I see her point.”
“She can use the pool if she wants to use the pool,” I reply as I look at her.
She responds with a forced smile, “Thanks, Mr. Monroe.”
Galvin’s laugh is filled with arrogance, designed to get under my skin. “You make her call you Mr. Monroe? How typical of you.”
Kylie bites her bottom lip as she watches me.
“It’s getting late,” I state. “I think Kylie and I will finish our drinks together, then get some sleep. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you.”
She follows my lead and walks with me until we find a spot by a large pillar in the ballroom. I lean against it, my muscles tense as I catch Galvin still eyeing us.
“What was that all about?” she asks, then takes a sip of her wine.
“Nothing. He’s just our biggest competitor—and a bit of a dick.”
She laughs effortlessly. A sound that I realize I like far too much. “He was perfectly friendly before you came by. I think there’s more to it.”
“Fine. We went to high school together in the city. He wasn’t the nicest person.”
Her head turns to the side as she studies me. “You mean, the almighty and powerful Lincoln Monroe had a bully?”
I know she’s joking, and I try to crack a smile to end this entire conversation, but I see the moment she sees right through it. There’s more to the story, but I don’t talk about it, and she seems to understand that we’re done with this conversation.
An awkward silence falls upon us. I watch her fidget, but don’t do anything to ease her nerves. I just stare at her in that damn dress that has been killing me all night.
“Just so you know, you can call me Lincoln.”
I don’t know where that came from. I’m supposed to be keeping this distance between us. Now, here I am, giving her the green light to end the formality. It’s a stupid move but fuck if I have any control where she is concerned.
